5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

car won't start

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Old Sep 22, 2005 | 10:32 AM
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I'm stumped

I was detailing my 2k max the other day and cleaned under the hood. Afterwards, the car won't start. The engine turns over, but it never fires. I checked all the fuses both in the fusebox and the fuses near the battery. I let it dry out for a couple of days and it still won't start. When it is cranking, the check engine light goes out so there doesn't appear to be any bad sensors.

It has about 1/3 of a tank of gas in it, and I can hear the fuel pump turn on and build up pressure.

Other than the crank sensor, are there any sensors which if dead, would cause the engine not to start? Anything else I should check?
Old Sep 22, 2005 | 10:50 AM
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try to see if can pull out the codes.
Old Sep 22, 2005 | 11:14 AM
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There are 2 crank sensors and a camshaft position sensor - all of which need to be functioning properly for the car to start/run.
Old Sep 22, 2005 | 12:01 PM
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put it in neutral and try to start it then..
it will fire up
Old Sep 22, 2005 | 01:04 PM
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I'll try hooking up a scantool to it tommorrow and make sure there's no water in any of the electical connectors. I think I was trying to start it in neutral before, but I don't know for sure.
Old Sep 22, 2005 | 03:12 PM
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Its probably a camshaft or crankshaft sensor. I had the same problem when I first got my car and the car wouldn't crank over. I would just sit there trying to start it and it wouldn't start.
Old Sep 22, 2005 | 03:41 PM
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if it cranks, its not a NSS problem. what if you hold the acc. pedal slightly?
Old Sep 26, 2005 | 04:39 PM
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crap, I checked all the fusable links and tried another ECM relay and it still won't start. I connected a OBD II scanner and there's no codes being thrown. I removed a spark plug after cranking it for about 10sec and there was no gas on the end of the plug. I can hear the fuel pump coming on. For some reason, no fuel is being injected.

I tried different throttle positions. I also pulled a spark plug after cranking it for 10sec and there was no gas on it. I checked the voltage at the injectors and it was fine. I'm going to do some pin testing on the ECU harness tommorrow.

It's been since last tuesday since it was washed. I'm pulling my hair out here, any more ideas?

It almost seems like the ECU is fried.
Old Sep 26, 2005 | 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by frankd121
Its probably a camshaft or crankshaft sensor. I had the same problem when I first got my car and the car wouldn't crank over. I would just sit there trying to start it and it wouldn't start.
The car should still crank over even if your ECU harness is unplugged. Did you mean to say that it wouldn't start when your crank/cam sensor was dead?
Old Sep 26, 2005 | 06:34 PM
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and thats what it sounds like. no cam sensor = no fuel injection.

did you check both banks?
Old Sep 26, 2005 | 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by BewstAdd1ct
and thats what it sounds like. no cam sensor = no fuel injection.

did you check both banks?
I just swapped out the cam pos. sensors between my 97 max and my 00 max. The 00 max still doesn't start and the 97 max runs like a champ with the 00 cam pos. sensor in it.

I didn't check the rear bank yet because it's more difficult to get to. But, I don't think it would make a difference since the engine isn't coughing or anything when it's cranking.

Maybe I'll swap the crank pos sensors tommorrow.
Old Sep 26, 2005 | 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by BewstAdd1ct
and thats what it sounds like. no cam sensor = no fuel injection.

did you check both banks?

Originally Posted by foobeca
I just swapped out the cam pos. sensors between my 97 max and my 00 max. The 00 max still doesn't start and the 97 max runs like a champ with the 00 cam pos. sensor in it.

I didn't check the rear bank yet because it's more difficult to get to. But, I don't think it would make a difference since the engine isn't coughing or anything when it's cranking.
Spot on frankd121 and BewstAdd1ct!

I learn something new almost every day!
Old Sep 26, 2005 | 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by njmodi
Spot on frankd121 and BewstAdd1ct!

I learn something new almost every day!
I still have the problem. My 00 max still is dead in the water.
Old Sep 26, 2005 | 08:06 PM
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duh... nevermind... I thought you were having trouble with your 97 (this being the 4th Gen forum and all)...

You still have two other sensors to fiddle with, the Crank REF and crank POS. I'm not sure if they prevent fuel delivery....

I don't remember if this came up already, but did you check the fuel pump fuse?
Old Sep 26, 2005 | 08:12 PM
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Dissconnect the MAF and try to turn it on.
Old Sep 26, 2005 | 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by njmodi
duh... nevermind... I thought you were having trouble with your 97 (this being the 4th Gen forum and all)...

You still have two other sensors to fiddle with, the Crank REF and crank POS. I'm not sure if they prevent fuel delivery....

I don't remember if this came up already, but did you check the fuel pump fuse?
This is the 5th gen forum. I triple-checked all the fuses and I can hear the fuel pump turn on.
Old Sep 26, 2005 | 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by foobeca
This is the 5th gen forum.
Sorry man.. I'll just shut up.. It's getting late and I'm feeling
Old Sep 27, 2005 | 12:56 PM
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I made some progress, I disconnected the hose going to the fuel rail and guess what, gas drips out. It should be spraying all over the place. Looks like it's a fuel pump, FPR, or clogged fuel filter.
Old Sep 27, 2005 | 04:15 PM
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Where's the fuel pump relay?? The FSM has a POS picture for the location of it and I can't find it. It's not in the relays just below the battery.
Old Sep 27, 2005 | 06:34 PM
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behind l/h kick panel with abs control unit removed.
Old Sep 27, 2005 | 09:15 PM
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anyone have a pic?
Old Sep 28, 2005 | 05:05 PM
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PM me your email and ill send you a pic or two from the svc manual.
Old Sep 29, 2005 | 07:53 AM
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Originally Posted by BewstAdd1ct
PM me your email and ill send you a pic or two from the svc manual.
Thanks, but I have the FSM and the illustration blows chunks.

I'm really at a loss here. I can hear the fuel pump turn on when I turn on the ignition, but there is no fuel pressure at the fuel rail. I disconnected a fuel hose going the fuel rail and no gas comes out. I replaced the fuel filter so that isn't the cause of it.

I measured the resistance of the fuel pump and it was 1.5 ohms which according to the FSM, is in spec. Do I have a bad fuel pump? I would think that it can't be a bad fuel pump relay if I can hear it turn on?????
Old Sep 29, 2005 | 02:16 PM
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Surprised you didn't just spray some carb cleaner into the TB to see if it would fire.

Fuel line is clogged, fuel pressure regulator stuck shut, or pump is bad. If you have voltage at the pump then the relay is operating properly.
Old Sep 29, 2005 | 06:18 PM
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foobeca, the motor in the f/p can be working fine, and you can have a failing impeller. sounds like its working, but no flow.

me and you are in the same boat... im looking around for a 190 lph fuel pump, they got for about $65-90... if i find one, ill let you know
Old Sep 29, 2005 | 07:17 PM
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I won't have time to work on it until monday. I'm going to try crimping the return line and see if I can't get some fuel pressure. I was under the impression that FPR's don't really go bad because there's not much for there to fail. All it does is move a diaphram depending on the amount of vacuum it receives.
Old Sep 29, 2005 | 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by BewstAdd1ct
foobeca, the motor in the f/p can be working fine, and you can have a failing impeller. sounds like its working, but no flow.

me and you are in the same boat... im looking around for a 190 lph fuel pump, they got for about $65-90... if i find one, ill let you know
There's some Walbro 225lph fuel pumps for $99 shipped on fleabay. It's a little more expensive than a group deal that was around.
Old Sep 29, 2005 | 07:34 PM
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255lph will outflow the stock regulator, which is in the pump assy. i need a 190.
Old Sep 29, 2005 | 07:49 PM
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WALBR...spagenameZWDVW

There's a 190 there as well.
Old Sep 29, 2005 | 08:04 PM
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thats 89-94.


same pump?
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